A number of companies were invited to meet the many student societies at a Student Societies Expo held recently. The event was set up to discuss opportunities for future sponsorship to support the variety of applied learning clubs and societies within the Department of Engineering.
The team projects are instrumental in providing purpose and developing the students’ technical and interpersonal skills and commercial awareness, which was encouragingly evident on the day.
Vicky Houghton
As a follow-up to this, a Dragons' Den-style event was then held, during which some of the student societies prepared presentations to bid for funding based on their intended projects for the year ahead, ranging from 3D printing and robotics through to eco racing and spaceflight. The judging panel included representatives from the Department of Engineering, the Cambridge University Engineers’ Association (CUEA), and companies Boeing and Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, both of which are kindly sponsoring the funding of the student projects alongside other companies including National Instruments.
After hearing the various project pitches, the company representatives, including some alumni, were able to visit the Dyson Centre for Engineering Design, where students were also on hand to demonstrate some of the equipment available such as a subsonic wind tunnel, plasma and laser cutters, and 3D printers.
Members of Cambridge University 3D Printing Society (CU3D).
Vicky Houghton, Industrial Placements Co-ordinator at the Department of Engineering, said: "The Student Societies Expo was a great opportunity for almost 20 voluntary student clubs to showcase their current projects and talk to industrial supporters and peers alike about how they are addressing real engineering problems with creative and innovative solutions.
"The team projects are instrumental in providing purpose and developing the students’ technical and interpersonal skills and commercial awareness, which was encouragingly evident on the day.
"These opportunities are often used as a stepping stone by students to gain practical experience, especially for those individuals who have naturally gravitated towards particular clubs based on their genuine interests and career aspirations."
If you are a company or individual interested in supporting and collaborating with the student societies, please email Vicky Houghton.
Members of Cambridge University Robotics (CUR).
Members of Cambridge University Spaceflight.
